Hitting the Road, cont’d common sense dictates that horse riders do the same when using the roads.
Fact vs. Fiction You may have heard people say: “Horses have the right-of-way over cars.” Well, it’s not true. The law that said that was repealed many, many years ago! How about: “I have every bit as much right to be on that road as those cars do!” That’s very true; but be prepared to encounter drivers who are not aware of that fact and be cautious enough to compensate for their ignorance of the law. Or: “Horses cannot be controlled as well as cars can, so cars should be made to yield to horses.” No. Sorry. Every road user has a specific set of responsibilities to ensure their own safety and that of other road users. Riders have just as much responsibility to control their horses as drivers are required to control their vehicles. Good manners
and manageability under saddle are important for your horse in any situation, but become critical whenever you expose your horse and yourself to the risks of travelling on the road. If you cause an accident, you can be liable for damages, so take your role as a “vehicle operator” seriously. Respect the rules of the road, ensure that you and your horse are highly visible, and be sure that your horse has had sufficient training to cope with the different sights and sounds you will encounter on the road. And make sure you are insured! You wouldn’t consider driving your car on the road without liability insurance, and riding your horse is no different. Horse Council BC offers $5-million in liability insurance as part of their membership; this covers members in cases where a lawsuit is brought against an individual for damages that
may be caused by a horse that they are in ownership or use of. Make sure that you and anyone who rides your horse are covered.
Enjoy your riding this summer, and above all, stay safe! This is the first in a series of articles about Road Safety by Ruth Donald, recreation co-ordinator of Horse Council BC. Photos from HCBC’s handbook on Road Safety, available through the Horse Council office. Contact recreation@HCBC. ca or call 604-856-4304 (toll-free 1-800345-8055) to order copies for yourself or your club.
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